Bone Density

Osteoporosis Care at St. Vincent's HealthCare

Osteoporosis is a silent disease that causes bones to become weak, thin, and brittle, causing them to break easily. It is the leading cause of hip and spinal fractures among older adults and is four times more common in women. It is sometimes called "the silent disease" because you may not notice any symptoms until you fracture or break a bone.

Screening

Talk with your doctor about the benefits of bone densitometry. While several methods are available to measure bone density, the most widely used technique currently is DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry). St. Vincent's HealthCare offers this quick, simple test to measure bone mass and diagnosis osteoporosis.

The DEXA scan is completely painless, and you will not have to make any special preparations except to avoid calcium supplements for 24 hours before the test.

St. Vincent's HealthCare will send your test results to your doctor for follow up. Most insurance companies cover the cost, but it is always good to check with your individual carrier.

Risk Factors

Gender. Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.

Race. Caucasians and Asians are more likely to develop osteoporosis.

Family History. Having a blood relative with osteoporosis increases your risk.

Body Type. Small-boned or slight-built women have less overall bone mass to begin with and are thereby at increased risk for developing brittle bones.

Age. The risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age.

Health Problems. Certain hormonal disorders can result in bone loss and some medications, such as long-term use of steroids and high doses of thyroid medication, may weaken your bones.

Nutrition and Dietary Factors. Good nutrition is an important part of treating and preventing osteoporosis. Getting enough calcium is vital because calcium is responsible for keeping your bones strong and helping the muscles work properly. Inadequate calcium in the diet will also cause your body to have to "steal" calcium from the bones. Therefore, eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.